science Archives

Rome, Italy: Part 1 of 3

June 19, 2026June 6, 2026Posted in blogging, history, Italy, Travel, writingTagged blogging, history, science, travelLeave a comment

The list of what to see when I am in Rome never seems to end! During the last 25 years I have visited the MAJOR monuments, ruins and statues. Now it was time to walk the Garbatella neighborhood away from the touristy areas. It was a nice change of pace. However, I still had museums to see!

On my way to Leonardo da Vinci Museum, I could not miss the massive Monument honoring Victor Emanuel II who was the first king of unified Italy. Nearby, I hiked steps to the entrance of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. The staircase dates back to 1398 on Capitoline Hill. The church is ornate! I also stopped at the Basilica of Saint Andrea della Valle. I had no idea this Baroque Church has the 2nd largest dome in Rome in height and diameter, only after Saint Peter’s Basilica!

There I am at the bottom of stairs to Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli taking this photo… soon on my way up, step by step!

Inside! Beautiful, worth the trek up the steps!

And another basilica….

Looking up to the second largest dome in Rome.

I love da Vinci’s work! Leonardo was a man ahead of his time! There was no subject called science in his day. He studied nature: the flight of birds, the movement of water and with an engineering mind solved problems. This museum displayed many of his inventions, sketches and notes plus there were interactive exhibits!

Armored tank designed to be powered by 8 men working a set of gears connected to wheels.

Leonardo worked with ball bearings, pulleys and springs systems while thinking how to move sand and stones and to press olives; just some examples. He studied ballistics, cannons and an idea for an armored tank. Despite those studies he was a pacifist and thought war a “beastly madness.”

Tomorrow… the Borghese family…an Italian noble family from Siena… relocated to Rome in the 16th century.

Science & Scientists Need Time and Respect

April 20, 2025April 2, 2025Posted in blogging, book readingTagged science, scientific method, scientistsLeave a comment

Science classes, especially those with required laboratory time, were excellent opportunities to learn the scientific method. You may recall the scientific method: identify a problem, ask questions, propose a hypothesis, make a prediction, test the hypothesis by designing and conducting experiments, collect and analyze data, and then write your conclusion(s). Only with repeated, supported evidence can a hypothesis eventually be considered a theory. All takes time to complete the process. The process may even need various approaches before ever getting to a conclusion.

My participation in science classes taught me the skills needed to do good science. While I was not asking questions about Covid, the brain, or cancer and creating hypotheses and writing conclusions about such; I was learning the scientific method and understanding the time needed to accomplish the work. As a result, I have always had great respect for the scientists and institutions where scientists work. These individuals are working on those above-mentioned issues and it is a fact: they need our time and respect as they work to solutions.

A book worth reading:

I was recently reminded of this fact while reading the book: A Molecule Away from Madness, Tales of the Hijacked Brain by Sara Manning Peskin. The author, Peskin, is also an assistant professor of clinical neurology. Her book discusses how science and scientists need time to solve questions, hypotheses and unknowns. I think most of the world does not realize that this is important. The author uses the brain for all her examples on how discoveries have been made through the decades by various scientists. And yet, she also notes there are still many unknowns remaining to be solved!

Take time …

Read the book. Think about the complexity of all living things … even things as small as a virus or bacterium … often a cause for our everyday illnesses. Realize the importance of the scientific method, used by scientists, which necessitates time for results to be observed and evaluated. When truly understood, you’ll respect science and the scientists who spend decades of their life solving unknowns. I know I appreciate their work on viruses and bacterium, especially most recently. We need facts/good science so humankind maintains good health. Where do you get your information? Do your research and/or know where your information is coming from before you make your conclusion. Be well and want others to be well too. We are on this planet together and need good scientific information.

Birds Need a Road to Recovery

April 13, 2025April 7, 2025Posted in Artwork, Birds, blogging, environmentTagged birds, evening grosbeak, mountain plover, Nature, science, wildlifeLeave a comment

Bird population has declined dramatically in the last 50 years. Fifty percent of the bird population has been lost in that time period. The birds need a road to recovery!

Scientists for the Road to Recovery have categorized 112 birds, labelled as “tipping birds”. The “tipping birds” are those most in need of swift conservation efforts or we’ll be losing them forever.

When you think about the facts: birds breathe the same air, occupy the same ecosystems, and use many of the same resources as us … especially water and food. So, it may be best to realize, if birds don’t thrive, in time neither will we!

I am participating in an April art project where others will make art however one wishes to celebrate the birds we love. Click here for the list of “tipping birds” from the Scientists for the Road to Recovery. During the month, I will draw/paint a bird from the list and post on my personal Instagram and also at the hashtag #stateofthebirdsart2025 If you are interested, join in! Some people are posting once a week; however, do what you wish to celebrate the birds you love and not want to see gone forever.

Here are my first 2 birds to be posted:

Mountain plover: it is near threatened on the “tipping bird” list. My painting is a male with his breeding plumage. Poorly named bird as he is never seen in the mountains. Instead, he’s in short prairie grass in the southwest USA and central Mexico.

Evening grosbeak: on the “tipping bird” list as vulnerable with its population declining dramatically. It’s a large finch and I drew an adult male. He has a bright yellow and black body, whereas females are a drab gray. They have a strong thick bill and love sunflower seeds if you happen to have them in your feeder.

Think about how you can help birds and especially those on the “tipping bird” list. Which birds are in your neighborhood or nearby? What can you to do help them? Plenty of resources are available for help. Let’s support agencies that also are focused on scientific action in helping these bird populations! Thanks!

Science Can Help Us …

July 2, 2020June 17, 2020Posted in blogging, TravelTagged health, scienceLeave a comment

Once upon a time I was a grades 7 – 9 science educator. I loved teaching science and would tell my students the world revolves around learning science! You learn math, English, history and science all at once, plus some basic info to care for yourself.

Wherever I travel in the world, I visit a local school. Some I have donated materials because I know the value of quality education for our young people and other educators appreciate books and supplies while working with their students.

Recently I was looking at my photos from a school visit in India. I decided this scientific message needed to be shared… really nothing new, but why can people not follow this science?